The Eastern and Western cattle egret are two closely related species of herons that are found across warmer regions of the world. While they look very similar, there are some key differences between these two bird species when it comes to their appearance, behavior, habitat, and distribution. Understanding the differences between the Eastern and Western cattle egret can help bird watchers properly identify them in the field.
What are cattle egrets?
Cattle egrets are small white herons that are part of the Ardeidae family of wading birds. There are seven species of cattle egrets globally. The Eastern and Western cattle egret are the two most widespread species.
Cattle egrets are named for their habit of following grazing livestock such as cattle and horses. They perch on or near the animals to more easily snatch up insects or other small prey items stirred up by their movement. This gives cattle egrets easy access to food sources.
Both the Eastern and Western cattle egret species have adapted well to human modified environments and are able to thrive in agricultural areas, pastures, and even urban spaces. Their numbers have expanded globally as habitat loss has pushed out competing heron species.
Key differences between Eastern and Western cattle egrets
While the Eastern and Western cattle egrets look almost identical at first glance, a closer inspection reveals some subtle but important differences between them:
Plumage
In breeding plumage, Eastern cattle egrets have long ornamental plumes on their head, neck, and back. Western cattle egrets never develop ornamental plumes, retaining their non-breeding plumage year round.
Eastern cattle egrets in non-breeding plumage can still be distinguished from Westerns by their darker orange-buff colored neck and underparts. Western cattle egrets have a paler straw colored neck and underparts.
Bill Color
Eastern cattle egrets have a yellow bill. Western cattle egrets have a darker, blackish-gray bill.
Legs
Eastern cattle egrets have yellow legs, while Western cattle egrets have darker gray-black legs.
Range
Eastern and Western cattle egrets have distinct but partially overlapping global ranges:
Eastern cattle egret range:
– Africa
– Madagascar
– Middle East
– South and Southeast Asia
– Australia
Western cattle egret range:
– Africa
– Southern Europe
– South and Southeast Asia
– Australia
– The Americas
So while both species occur in Africa, Asia and Australia, only the Western cattle egret is found in the Americas and Europe.
Eastern Cattle Egret Description
Let’s take a closer look at some of the main identification features of the Eastern cattle egret:
Size
The Eastern cattle egret is a small heron, measuring 38–45 cm in length and weighing approximately 375 grams.
Plumage
During the breeding season, the adult Eastern cattle egret develops long white plumes on the head, neck, and back. The plumes emerge from shorter feathers on the forehead, crown, nape, shoulders, and lower back.
When not in breeding plumage, the Eastern cattle egret’s neck and underparts are a deep orange-buff color. The non-breeding plumage is otherwise all white.
Juvenile Eastern cattle egrets have gray bills and gray-black legs. As they mature, the bill darkens to yellow and the legs to yellow.
Distribution
The Eastern cattle egret has an extremely wide distribution across the tropics and subtropics of the Old World. Its breeding range includes:
– Most of sub-Saharan Africa
– Madagascar
– Southern Europe
– South and Southeast Asia
– Indonesia
– Australia
It undertakes seasonal migrations across this vast range in response to rains and prey availability. Outside the breeding season, it can be found as far north as Portugal and as far south as Tasmania.
Habitat
The Eastern cattle egret utilizes a wide variety of inland and coastal wetland habitats, including:
– Shallow marshes
– Floodplains
– Irrigated agricultural lands
– Rice paddies
– Mangroves
– Grasslands
– Savannahs
It has also adapted very well to human-altered environments such as cattle pastures and farm fields.
In urban areas, Eastern cattle egrets can be found in city parks, gardens, and along roadside ditches. They usually avoid uninterrupted forest but may make use of patches of trees near wetlands for nesting.
Behavior
The Eastern cattle egret is highly gregarious and social, gathering in large flocks especially when not breeding. Its association with cattle and other grazing animals is one of its most notable behaviors. It uses the animals to flush insects and other prey out into the open as they graze.
During breeding season, Eastern cattle egrets may nest in single species colonies or mixed with other herons and egrets. Breeding pairs defend a small nesting territory within the colony. Courtship displays include neck stretching, crouching, and bill fencing.
Eastern cattle egrets hunt by walking slowly through shallow water and striking quickly at prey. Besides insects, fish, amphibians, and reptiles are also caught. The diet is highly opportunistic overall based on food availability.
Western Cattle Egret Description
Now let’s go over the main identification features of the Western cattle egret:
Size
Very similar in size to the Eastern cattle egret, the Western cattle egret measures 36–45 cm in length and around 325 grams in weight.
Plumage
The Western cattle egret looks almost identical to the Eastern cattle egret when the latter is not in breeding plumage. However, unlike the Eastern, the Western never develops ornamental plumes for the breeding season.
Its neck and underparts are a pale, straw-colored buff. The bill and facial skin are yellow. The legs are grayish-black.
Juvenile Western cattle egrets have gray-black bills and leg coloration like the adults, unlike in the Eastern cattle egret where the juveniles have yellow bills and legs.
Distribution
The Western cattle egret has an extremely wide global distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Its range includes:
– Africa
– Southern Europe
– South and Southeast Asia
– Indonesia
– Australia
– North America
– South America
– Caribbean islands
It undertakes seasonal migrations across this vast range, traveling huge distances in response to weather patterns and food availability.
Habitat
Like the Eastern cattle egret, the Western cattle egret utilizes a diverse array of shallow freshwater and coastal wetland habitats:
– Marshes
– Swamps
– Floodplains
– Rice fields
– Mangroves
It is also commonly found in close association with cattle in pastures and grasslands. In addition, it has adapted very well to urban areas including farms, suburbs, and city parks.
Behavior
The Western cattle egret exhibits very similar behavior to the Eastern cattle egret. It is highly social, gathering in large foraging and roosting flocks.
A key behavior is its commensal relationship with cattle and other livestock. It uses the animals to flush out prey as they graze. During breeding season, Western cattle egrets form single species colonies, often in mixed heronries. Courtship involves neck stretching displays.
Foraging primarily occurs in shallow water. The diet is opportunistic based on prey availability but consists mainly of insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. Western cattle egrets hunt by walking slowly and waiting to ambush prey.
Summary of Differences
In summary, here are the key differences that help distinguish the Eastern cattle egret from the nearly identical Western cattle egret:
Trait | Eastern Cattle Egret | Western Cattle Egret |
---|---|---|
Breeding Plumage | Long plumes on head, neck, and back | No ornamental plumes |
Neck Color | Deep orange-buff | Pale straw-buff |
Bill Color | Yellow | Dark gray to black |
Legs | Yellow | Gray-black |
Range | Africa, Asia, Australia, Madagascar | Africa, Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Eastern and Western cattle egrets are very similar herons that are best distinguished by subtle differences in breeding plumage, bill and leg color, and geographic distribution. Being able to identify these species comes down to noting small variations in appearance and range. With careful observation, bird watchers can confidently tell the two cattle egrets apart.